Wearable Motion Sensor Device to Facilitate Rehabilitation in Patients With Shoulder Adhesive Capsulitis: Pilot Study to Assess Feasibility

Abstract

Background Adhesive capsulitis (AC) of the shoulder is a common disorder that painfully reduces the shoulder range of motion (ROM) among middle-aged individuals. Although physical therapy with home-based exercises is widely advised to restore ROM in the treatment of AC, clinical results vary owing to inconsistent patient compliance. Objective In this study, we aimed to verify the feasibility of a treatment model that involves applying a wearable motion sensor device to assist patients conduct home-based exercises to improve training compliance and the accuracy of exercises, with the ultimate goal of improving the functional recovery of patients with AC. Methods The motion sensor device was comprised of inertial measurement unit–based sensors and mobile apps for patients and physicians, offering shoulder mobility tracing, home-based exercise support, and progress monitoring. The interrater reliability of shoulder mobility measurement using the motion sensor device on 10 healthy participants and 15 patients with AC was obtained using an intraclass correlation coefficient analysis and compared with the assessments performed by two highly experienced physicians. A pilot prospective control trial was then carried out to allocate the 15 patients with AC to two groups: home-based exercise group and motion sensor–assisted rehabilitation group. Changes in active and passive shoulder ROM, pain and functional scores, and exercise completion rates were compared between the groups during a treatment period of 3 months. Results Shoulder ROM, as measured using the motion sensor device, exhibited good to excellent reliability based on the comparison with the measurements of two physicians (intraclass correlation coefficient range, 0.771 to 0.979). Compared with patients with AC in the home-based exercise group, those in the motion sensor–assisted rehabilitation group exhibited better shoulder mobility and functional recovery and a higher exercise completion rate during and after 3 months of rehabilitation. Conclusions Motion sensor device–assisted home-based rehabilitation for the treatment of AC is a useful treatment model for telerehabilitation that enhances the compliance of patients through training, thus improving functional recovery. This helps overcome important obstacles in physiotherapy at home by providing comprehensible and easily accessible exercise instructions, enhancing compliance, ensuring the correctness of exercise, and monitoring the progress of patients.

Evidence for the Effectiveness of Feedback from Wearable Inertial Sensors during Work-Related Activities: A Scoping Review

“…Synchronizing multiple IMU devices can operate as a wireless body area network (WBAN) to support detailed biomechanical model development and capture more complex kinematic movement data compared to a single IMU. An IMU has a large range of applications, for example, distinguishing postural differences between individuals [ 37 ], or home-based monitoring during rehabilitation to enhance patient compliance and therefore improve functional recovery [ 38 ] An inertial sensor is mostly reliable and valid for measuring posture [ 37 , 39 , 40 , 41 ]. However, the validity of an inertial sensor is largely dependent on the environment and task performed.…”

Effectiveness of interactive augmented reality-based telerehabilitation in patients with adhesive capsulitis: protocol for a multi-center randomized controlled trial

“…To the best of our knowledge, only two other studies have applied telerehabilitation with wearable sensors to patients with adhesive capsulitis. Both studies are similar to this study in that they compared a motion sensor-assisted telerehabilitation group with a classic home exercise group; however, they had a small sample size and were not RCTs [ 27 , 28 ]. This RCT will use a more advanced technology to improve the quantity (patient compliance) and quality (real-time feedback through AR and telecommunication with physicians) of home exercise.…”

Evaluating Power Rehabilitation Actions Using a Fuzzy Inference Method

“…Bell et al [ 30 ] used IMU motion tracking sensors and an OptiTrack system to detect the joint angle of knee motion during rehabilitation exercises. Chen et al [ 31 ] developed a home-based shoulder rehabilitation system that comprised an IMU and a mobile app for patients and physicians to trace and monitor shoulder mobility measurements. However, unlike other studies that focused only on certain types of rehabilitation, such as shoulder, knee, hip, and cognitive rehabilitation, the present study developed a comprehensive approach for conducting and examining various types of rehabilitation.…”